Is it easier being a lone parent when the children are young or teenagers?

[AMAZINWOMAN]

I have been a lone parent for soooo long, and I always thought it would be easier when they were older.

In some ways it is. But I didn't realise how emotionally exhausting it is. Coping with their emotions going haywire, the testosterone all over the place! And how they are ALWAYS hungry.

Its the finances that get harder too. I used to be able to buy clothes for them (which meant in the sales!) but now they want what their friends want, paying for activities and clubs etc etc

But I also find it hard that I don't get any proper time to myself to recharge my batteries. I often sleep before them!!!

Teens, absolutely definitely, in the sense that they don't need quite so much attention and they can cook their own damned dinner now and again.
I get your point about 'me' time though. Do these buggers never sleep? However,my 'easy' teens are 19, 18 & 17. My 14 year old is still quite dependent, so it depends what aged teen and on the individual child, obviously .
They are such good fun at this age though; I love their company.

Definitely teenagers but do agree with the fact that they are emotionally draining & the finance side is a real struggle.

But love their sense of humour just not the moods.

My dc were 2 and 6 when ex left, they are now 10 & 13. It always seemed like a real hard slog when they were young, life was a round of nappies, meals, bathtime & bedtimes plus shopping, cleaning , working etc. Life is easier now they are able to reason with, help out and sort of fend for themselves if need be. But at times I feel like I'm here to ferry them round,constantly pick up after them to be an endless source of cash. That said, they are good company.

i became a lone parent with a 2yr old and a 3 week old baby. When they were little, i could put them in thier buggy and walk around the city for hours, stopping at parks, playgrounds, libary's and cafe's. Now i have to convice them not to kill each other while i have a shower and even then they pester me while im in it. I would say apart from the sleep deprevation, babies are way easier!!

when i was a teenager i spent so much time with friends that when i eventually went home my dad kept giving me a hotel bill each morning!i cant wait for my youngest to be old enough to be trusted to get up and go to school without me actually physically dong it for him..but maybe they will always need someone to wake them up!

yes my eldest (14) still needs waking up in the morning and always comes for a kiss. I do the killing each other is a nightmare but i am hoping they will be best friends when that stops.